Our Story

More than 35 years ago, the anointed Elder Alvin Leonard received a prophetic word from his father-in-law, Deacon Ruben Sconiers (father of his beautiful wife, Sister Mamie Leonard) that he had the spirit of a pastor and would one day lead a congregation.

In the early 70’s, Elder Alvin and Sister Mamie Leonard pursued their call to a powerful ministry. In 1973, Elder Alvin Leonard was ordained as an elder in the Church of God in Christ by the late Bishop J.A. Blake, Sr. and appointed as assistant pastor of Mount Calvary Church of God in Christ, in Los Angeles, California.

After serving as assistant pastor for more than fifteen years, in November 1986, he was called to a pastoral ministry and began holding services in their home where the Greater Deliverance Church of God in Christ was birthed! After a very short period of time, the congregation relocated to Inglewood, California and services were held at the Airport Park Hotel.

In January 1987, God blessed the church to relocate to 6117 West Boulevard, Los Angeles, California. It was here that God led Sister Mamie Leonard to begin a weekly prayer meeting. Through her obedience to God, a powerful anointing was ushered into the midst of God’s people. This powerful and anointed prayer meeting of Sister Mamie Leonard and her identical twin sister, Sister Martha Featherston, along with their faithful and dedicated spiritual warfare team has now grown into an Inter-Denominational Prayer Ministry, which is renowned all over the world.

In May 1992, Greater Deliverance was blessed to purchase a building down the street, located at 6419 West Boulevard, Inglewood, California, which we thought would be our new church home, but God had other plans. The building was utilized by our own Sister Dorothy Johnson (“Momma Dot”) as a food distribution center for over 10 years. This building now serves as our Youth Center and is an outreach ministry and educational center for our community.

In March 1998, God blessed us to purchase our third building at 6741 West Boulevard, Inglewood, California. This building used to be a dry-cleaners and has now been transformed into a “soul-cleaners.” Pastor Alvin Leonard obeyed God’s Word and God opened the windows of heaven and many blessings began to multiply through tithes, offerings and love gifts. As the Word says

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.” (Luke 6:38). Through Pastor Leonard’s leadership and hard work, the Greater Deliverance Church family is here today, debt-free!

In 2003, Elder Mark Leonard, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, came to stand by his father’s side in the ministry and in the pulpit, after serving faithfully in the ministries at Church of the Harvest International, located in Hollywood, California, under the leadership of Bishop Clarence E. McClendon. Elder Mark Leonard also has a passion for young people and served as Greater Deliverance’s Youth Pastor.

Our beloved Pastor Alvin Leonard fought a good fight, finished his course and he kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). On December 28, 2007, Pastor Alvin Leonard’s works were laid to rest and he was called home to glory! He is now present with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Pastor Alvin Leonard was a devout man of God. He was a faithful shepherd who stood for holiness and righteousness as he taught God’s Word (scripture-by-scripture, verse-by-verse). He was a spiritual father to many and unselfishly loved people and his congregation very much. He devoted special time in helping the seniors. His heart was touched by children, as they were very dear to him. He often participated in the children’s outreach ministry. Pastor Leonard always inspired his congregation to keep their eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), and to look into his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. He was a great Pastor and we loved him very much. His memories will be cherished!

Pastor Alvin Leonard’s legacy continues as the “spiritual mantle” has been passed to his ordained and visionary son, Elder Mark Leonard, who now serves as the Pastor of Greater Deliverance Church of God in Christ.

Our pastor, Elder Mark Leonard, is a humble leader and teacher who walks in the powerful anointing and authority of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Mark Leonard has an extraordinary vision to take Greater Deliverance to a sacred and higher spiritual level in God (“write the vision and make it plain” - Habakkuk 2:2). He faithfully gives us confidence that “there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1) and that we are the “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).

Pastor Mark Leonard also has a special ministry that encourages new believers to help them spiritually mature in the Word of God (“babes in Christ” – 1 Peter 2:2) and that Jesus is able to keep them from falling (Jude 24:25). He reminds us all that we are still growing in the Lord. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

Pastor Mark Leonard loves to feed God’s people as God continues to add to our church and provide a sanctuary for those who are thirsty and hungry for His Word. “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). With the Greater Deliverance elders and church family by his side, his mother

(First Lady Emeritus Mamie Leonard)and his brother, Minister Timothy Leonard (gifted song-bird and brilliant percussionist), Pastor Mark Leonard will continue to take this church to new spiritual heights, as he prepares us all with the Word to seek God’s kingdom first and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33); utilize our power through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) and to be ready when Jesus comes!

Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be!